Dutch Justice minister visists Turkey

On an official visit to Turkey yesterday, Dutch Justice Minister Ernst Hirsch Ballin met with his Turkish counterpart Mehmet Ali Sahin. Speaking to reporters afterwards, Sahin said that Turkey and the Netherlands have longstanding ties of friendship and that their meeting had been very fruitful. Sahin also said that Turkey had been benefited greatly from the Netherlands' experience in its own EU accession. Sahin stressed the need for effective bilateral cooperation to deal with terrorism, drug trafficking, and human smuggling. Touching on problems between the two countries on the extradition of criminals, he said, "My Dutch counterpart suggested documentation of the problems, and we are affirmative on the matter." For his part, Ballin said the two countries do joint work in many areas, and both are trying to benefit from their mutual experience fighting crime. Ballin also said that his country was eager to share its experience with Turkey on prison systems, smuggling and other crime-related issues, and to benefit from how Turkey deals with domestic violence. Turkey's Special Envoy to Iraq Murat Ozcelik yesterday held talks in Baghdad with Iraqi Vice President Tariq al-Hashimi to hammer down details of Prime Minister Erdogan's coming visit there. They also exchanged views on Turkey's intention to open a consulate in Basra and Turkish investors' possible contributions to Iraq's reconstruction. For security reasons, exact dates for Erdogan's visit have yet to be announced, but it is expected to take place in the weeks to come.